Abstract: Using computational models for the patient physiology and the various therapy options, a decision support system presents a range of predicted outcomes to assist in planning the therapy. The models are used in various experiments for the many therapy options to determine an optimal approach.

Abstract: A method of planning an image-guided interventional procedure to be performed on a patient, where expected motion of the patient, such as that of a breathing cycle, is determined on a sequence of preoperative images, and the procedure trajectory is planned accordingly. The method takes into account the initial positions of the interventional entry, the target region, and any obstructions or forbidden regions between the entry point and the target region, and uses object tracking methods of image processing on the preoperative images to determine how the positions of these three elements change relative to each other during the patient's motion cycle. The method may automatically search in at least some of the preoperative images taken at different temporal points of the motion cycle, for a path connecting the entry point with the target and avoiding the obstacles, which provides minimal lateral pressure on the patient's tissues.

Abstract: Example methods and systems may be used intraoperatively to help surgeons perform accurate and replicable surgeries, such as knee arthroplasty surgeries. An example system combines real time measurement and tracking components with functionality to compile data collected by the hardware to register a bone of a patient, calculate an axis (e.g., mechanical axis) of the leg of the patient, assist a surgeon in placing cut guides, and verify a placement of an inserted prosthesis.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided useful in various procedures, including hair harvesting and implantation, and further including computer-implemented and/or robotic hair transplantation. Methodologies are provided which enable selection of follicular unit harvesting or implanting sites within the same row in a direction of travel of the tool, or by incrementing to another row. In various cases, such selection may be made using a lowest and closest method, overlap-based methods, position-based methods, pattern-based methods, and/or a combination of these methods. In various combinations of the methods, the output selection from one of the methods may be used as an input for one of the other methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for combining assessment of different factors of dyssynchrony into a comprehensive, non-invasive toolbox for treating patients with a CRT therapy device. The toolbox provides high spatial resolution, enabling assessment of regional function, as well as enabling derivation of global metrics to improve patient response and selection for CRT therapy. The method allows for quantitative assessment and estimation of mechanical contraction patterns, tissue viability, and venous anatomy from CT scans combined with electrical activation patterns from Body Surface Potential Mapping (BSPM). This multi-modal method is therefore capable of integrating electrical, mechanical, and structural information about cardiac structure and function in order to guide lead placement of CRT therapy devices. The method generates regional electro-mechanical properties overlaid with cardiac venous distribution and scar tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for diagnosing, monitoring, and/or treating tissue through an opening or port through an airway wall are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical system, in particular for implanting a knee joint endoprosthesis, comprises at least one medical referencing unit whose position in space is detectable using a surgical navigation system. The referencing unit comprises at least one surgical marker element that is arranged or formed on a carrier element and is detectable using a detection device of the surgical navigation system. The at least one referencing unit comprises a base body that carries the carrier element. The base body comprises at least one patient-specific bone contact face faces away from the base body and deviates from being a sector of a surface of a sphere and from being a planar surface. The at least one bone contact face is formed in a manner corresponding to a bone surface of the patient.

Abstract: A touch panel is provided in an endoscopic video processor. A scope identification device determines, on the basis of input use-setting information, whether the field of application in which the endoscopic video processor is used is internal medicine or surgery. A touch-panel-sensitivity setting device that sets, when a determination result is surgery by the scope identification device, a detection sensitivity to a sensitivity relatively higher than a sensitivity that is set when the determination result is internal medicine.

Abstract: End effectors with closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises a first and second jaw movable between a closed grasped or clamped configuration and an open configuration. The tool further comprises a soft grip mode for grasping the tissue at a first force during which a separation parameter between the jaws is measured, and a therapeutic clamping mode in which the jaws clamp on the body tissue at a force greater than the grasping force. The methods comprise grasping the body tissue between jaw members, measuring the separation parameter between jaws, indicating on a user interface the separation parameter for comparison to a desired separation parameter, and then releasing the body tissue for repositioning or therapeutically clamping the body tissue in response to the separation parameter indication.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for the elimination/mitigation of vibration arising from a mode transition during a robotic surgery. The robotic surgery can be performed with a patient side cart, portions of which can be affected by the mode transition. Initial parameters for the portions of the patient side cart that can be affected by the mode transition are identified and are used to create a smoothing curve. The smoothing curve can direct the movement of the portions of the patient side cart to transition between the modes. The smoothing curve can be continuously generated until a new mode transition is requested.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a robotic surgical system. The robotic surgical system includes at least one robot arm, a camera, and a console. The console includes a first handle, a second handle, and a selector switch configured to select between a robotic control mode and a camera control mode. In the system the first handle or the second handle control the at least one robot arm in the robotic control mode and the first handle and the second handle control the camera in the camera control mode.

Abstract: A robotic system for performing minimally invasive spinal stabilization, using two screws inserted in oblique trajectories from an inferior vertebra pedicle into the adjacent superior vertebra body. The procedure is less traumatic than such procedures performed using open back surgery, by virtue of the robot used to guide the surgeon along a safe trajectory, avoiding damage to nerves surrounding the vertebrae. The robot arm is advantageous since no access is provided in a minimally invasive procedure for direct viewing of the operation site, and the accuracy required for oblique entry can readily be achieved only using robotic control. This robotic system also obviates the need for a large number of fluoroscope images to check drill insertion position relative to the surrounding nerves. Disc cleaning tools with flexible wire heads are also described. The drilling trajectory is determined by comparing fluoroscope images to preoperative images showing the planned path.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reference fixture. The reference fixture includes a joint, and a joint tracker to track motion of the joint. The apparatus also includes a surgical instrument. A tether is connected between the joint and the surgical instrument. A shape sensor extends from the reference fixture through the joint, through the tether, and into the surgical instrument. The shape sensor is substantially free of twist. The joint tracker measures the motion of the joint. Information from the shape sensor in combination with information from the joint tracker provides absolute three-dimensional information relative to the reference fixture, i.e., provides absolute three-dimensional information in a fixed world reference frame.

Abstract: An exemplary drive apparatus may include a roller assembly and a roller support. The roller assembly may have a first continuous surface, a second continuous surface, an open configuration for receiving an elongate member, and a closed configuration for securing the elongate member in the roller assembly. The roller assembly imparts axial motion to the elongate member along the first continuous surface, which maintains contact with the elongate member during the axial motion. The roller support rotates the roller assembly about the second continuous surface, which maintains contact with the roller support during rotational motion. The roller assembly and roller support to impart axial and rotational motion, respectively, independently of one another.

Abstract: An automated medical system and method for using the automated medical system. The automated medical system may comprise a robot support system. The robot support system may comprise a robot body. The robot support system may further comprise a selective compliance articulated robot arm coupled to the robot body and operable to position a tool at a selected position in a surgical procedure. The robot support system may further comprise an activation assembly operable to transmit a move signal to the selective compliance articulated robot arm allowing an operator to move the selective compliance articulated robot arm. The automated medical system may further comprise a camera tracking system and an automated imaging system.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a surgical navigation system. A detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user is associated with a surgical navigation system, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and user gestures are used as said control inputs. A gesture or a initiating user gesture defines a virtual volume surrounding the initiating gesture's limits, and further predetermined gestures made in the virtual volume are recognized as a control input. Also provided is a control system for a surgical navigation system. The navigation system is associated with a detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and the detection unit includes a gesture detection system for detecting user gestures.

Abstract: A device sized and shaped for insertion into a body comprising: at least one mechanical limb comprising: a support segment; a first flexible section extending from the support segment and terminating in a coupling section; and a second flexible section extending from the coupling section and terminating in a tool or a connector for a tool; wherein a long axis of one or more of the flexible sections is bendable in a single bending plane; wherein a long axis length of the first flexible section is at least double a maximum extent of the first flexible section perpendicular to a flexible section long axis; wherein a long axis length of the second flexible section is at least double a maximum extent of the second flexible section perpendicular to a flexible section long axis.

Abstract: A device sized and shaped for insertion into a body comprising: at least one mechanical limb comprising: a support segment; a first flexible section extending from the support segment and terminating in a coupling section; and a second flexible section extending from the coupling section and terminating in a tool or a connector for a tool; wherein a long axis of one or more of the flexible sections is bendable in a single bending plane; wherein a long axis length of the first flexible section is at least double a maximum extent of the first flexible section perpendicular to a flexible section long axis; wherein a long axis length of the second flexible section is at least double a maximum extent of the second flexible section perpendicular to a flexible section long axis.

Abstract: A surgical drape kit for performing a surgical procedure includes a surgical drape having a fenestration site; a plurality of containers attached to the surgical drape; and a plurality of components used to perform a surgical procedure. The containers are attached to the surgical drape around a perimeter of the fenestration site. Each container includes at least one component. Disposition of the components inside the containers is determined by sequential steps of the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Fine fibers comprising aliphatic polyester and a viscosity modifier. The fine fibers are preferably made by a BMF process.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for measuring the distance and/or depth to a target bone for surgery using a robotic surgical system. The surgical robot system may be configured to depict the distance from a guide tube of the robot to a target bone of a patient as a vector. The vector may represent a view of the guide tube when the guide tube's central axis is coincident with a line of intersection of two viewplanes of a 2D image of the target bone, for example, one viewplane being sagittal and one viewplane being axial.

Abstract: A surgical robotic arm support system may include a base and at least one post and/or a connection for coupling a robot arm to the support system. The base may be configured to at least partially surround a surgical table. The at least one post may have a first end supported on the base and a second end configured to support a robotic arm. The at least one post may be configured to be coupled to a surgical table. The connection may support a mechanical and/or electrical connectivity between the support system and a coupled robot arm. Electrical connectivity may be configured to identify at least one of the robot arm connections to which at least one robot arm is connected. Each robot arm connection may be configured to maintain a portion of a connected robot arm at a predetermined position from the base.

Abstract: A surgical robotic arm support system may include a base and at least one post and/or a connection for coupling a robot arm to the support system. The base may be configured to at least partially surround a surgical table. The at least one post may have a first end supported on the base and a second end configured to support a robotic arm. The at least one post may be configured to be coupled to a surgical table. The connection may support a mechanical and/or electrical connectivity between the support system and a coupled robot arm. Electrical connectivity may be configured to identify at least one of the robot arm connections to which at least one robot arm is connected. Each robot arm connection may be configured to maintain a portion of a connected robot arm at a predetermined position from the base.

Abstract: A surgical boom having a surgical head with an electrical connection, a plurality of inlet ports, a compressed gas outlet, and a water outlet, one of the inlet ports having a cover, a hollow surgical arm mounted to a ceiling in a room and having a plurality of joints, a shaft passing through said ceiling, and a shaft collar attached to the ceiling, an outlet port, a filter media arranged between said outlet port and one of the inlet ports, the filter media comprising an ULPA media and an adsorbent layer, a control panel, a suction unit configured and arranged in a position below the ceiling to cause a fluid to be drawn from the inlet port through the filter media and out through said outlet port while minimizing noise in the proximity of the inlet port, wherein the fluid drawn from inlet port comprises an exhaust path through the hollow arm.

Abstract: A medical laser light source system including an excitation laser light source apparatus that generates first excitation light having a wavelength greater than or equal to 1.5 ?m and less than or equal to 2.2 ?m and second excitation light having a wavelength greater than or equal to 1.5 ?m and less than or equal to 2.2 ?m and differing from the first excitation light with respect to at least one of oscillation energy intensity, oscillation pulse width, repeating frequency, and peak power; an optical fiber that is long-distance and propagates the first excitation light and the second excitation light generated by the excitation laser light source apparatus; and a laser device that generates laser light having a wavelength of at least 2.7 ?m and no greater than 3.2 ?m, using at least one of the first excitation light and the second excitation light emitted from the optical fiber.

Abstract: A drilling tool for dental implant surgery, this tool having: a drilling head; a cylindrical mandrel rigidly connected to the head and coaxial therewith, this mandrel being able to be mounted in a pin in order to effect a rotational coupling of the drilling head to this pin; a mesio-distal guide cylinder coaxial with the drilling head, this mesio-distal guide cylinder having an external diameter (D2), called the mesio-distal guide diameter, greater than the drilling diameter (D1); a vestibulo-lingual guide cylinder coaxial with the drilling head and situated under the mesio-distal guide cylinder, this vestibulo-lingual guide cylinder having an external diameter (D3), called the vestibulo-lingual guide diameter, smaller than the mesio-distal guide diameter (D2).

Abstract: A dental surgical drill guide assembly and method includes a surgical guide housing and a base frame that fits to both gum tissue and one or multiple small areas of jawbone. The apparatus may be configured to accurately place dental implants according to planned positions. Such apparatus may increase the stability of the surgical guide by clasping and/or contacting the jawbone, while improving the overall fit and minimizing the need of invasive surgery and flapping by also clasping and/or contacting selected areas of the gum tissue at the same time. Self-locking alignment members aid in easy removal, and re-installation, of the surgical guide housing to the base frame.

Abstract: An endodontic obturator for obturating a root canal includes a wire made of a conductive material, a carrier, and a sheath. The carrier is configured to releasably couple to the wire and is made of a first thermoset material. The sheath is configured to slidably receive the carrier and is made of a second thermoset material. The melting temperature of the second thermoset material is lower than the melting temperature of the first thermoset material. A method of obturating a root canal includes positioning the endodontic obturator in the root canal, ensuring the endodontic obturator is in a proper position by locating an apex of the root canal using the wire, sealing an apex of the root canal with the sheath, and removing the wire from the obturator.

Abstract: A plastic container for containing a dental adhesive composition that contains a polymerizable monomer and a polymerization initiator; the plastic container including a container body 3 of a hollow cylindrical shape, an ejection nozzle 5 provided at an end of the container body 3 on one side thereof and a cap 9 detachably fitted to the ejection nozzle, and having a structure in which a knock-button type piston member 7 is fitted in the container body 3 from an end on the other side thereof in a manner that the knock-button type piston member can be depressed, and the composition contained in the container body 3 is discharged through the ejection nozzle 5 as the piston member 7 is depressed; and a body wall of the plastic container has an oxygen permeability in a range of 10 to 500 cc/m2·day·atm in a portion where the composition is contained in the container body 3.

Abstract: A dental separator device for applying pressure against adjacent teeth to separate the teeth from one another so that a dental restoration can be made. The separator device increases the interproximal space between the adjacent teeth giving the dental clinician improved visibility and working space. The invention also encompasses a flexible matrix band used for making the restoration. The matrix band is wrapped around the tooth to define a desired mold or shape for the restoration.

Abstract: A method for correcting a malocclusion in the mouth of a user including the steps of: providing an appliance having an upper body and a lower body, wherein the upper body has an anterior portion having an angled surface and a lingual tab and a posterior portion having an elevated occlusal surface, and wherein the lower body has an anterior portion, a trough and a shield configured to surround the user's lower teeth when the lower body is placed in the user's mouth; positioning the upper body of the appliance relative to the user's tongue to achieve contact therebetween, wherein the lingual tab of the upper body is configured to contact a palate as the appliance is worn in the user's mouth; and positioning the anterior portion of the lower body relative to the user's lips to achieve contact therebetween and to push the lower teeth in a rearward direction within the user's mouth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to endosseous implants and in particular, to screw form dental implants for implanting within bone. The bone implant is configured to be a self-drilling bone implant that is adept at condensing, collecting and distributing bone along all of the implant's surface and within the implantation site, to significantly increase the bone implant contact surface. The implant is configured to have a coronal portion and a body portion that are continuous with one another. The coronal portion is configured to have a smaller overall diameter than the overall diameter of said body portion. The body portion is fit with threading that facilitates the self-drilling and bone collection properties when the implant is rotates in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dental implant (30; 130; 230; 330; 430) for preserving soft tissue and promoting bone growth, comprising an elongated implant body having a coronal end portion (31; 131; 431) and an apical end portion (32; 132; 332; 432); an external thread (40; 140; 240; 440); a flute arrangement (50; 150; 350; 450) comprising at least one helical flute having a depth; in which the apical end portion forms a blunt tip (39; 139; 339), and in which the helical flute spirals in opposite direction to the external thread, and the flute exits on the face of the blunt tip.

Abstract: Methods and tools for expanding a precursor hole in a host material to receive an anchor or fixture. The precursor hole is enlarged by a rotary tool having helical flutes and interposed lands. The lands each have a working edge that densities bone when the tool is rotated in a non-cutting direction. When the tool is used with a copious wash of irrigating fluid, hydraulic pressure builds inside the precursor hole. The operator can modulate the hydraulic pressure by axially stroking the rotating tool. The working edges sweep against the interior surface of the hole to gently expand its diameter by incremental plastic deformations with little to no removal of host material. The host material may be bone and the hole formed may be an osteotomy that is prepared with dense, compacted sidewalls to receive a bone implant with a high degree of primary stability.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and series of appliances are provided for dental implant positioning. One method for positioning an implant with dental treatment includes determining an implant location based on a virtual model of an optimized dental occlusion, moving one or more teeth using a first number of a series of dental appliances, from a first orientation to a second orientation, the second orientation exposing the implant location, placing an implant at the exposed implant location using a landmark included in at least one of the series of dental appliances, repositioning one or more teeth using a second number of the series of dental appliances, from the second orientation to a successive orientation.

Abstract: A flexible arch model (FAM) is computed to capture and parameterize the variations of the multiple real dental arches in a training set to reconstruct missing teeth in a patient's dental anatomy. Building the FAM includes acquiring multiple sets of digitized dental arches with a pair of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) jaws in the right relative position and gathering a pre-defined set of landmark points on the occlusal surface of each arch all in the same order and same corresponding positions across multiple samples. The gathered vectors of landmark points are used to perform statistical modeling (e.g. Principal Component Analysis) to create a linear subspace of the feature points with the basis of principal components (when PCA is used) found during the procedure. An arbitrary set of landmark points on a pair of upper and lower arch can be reconstructed by a linear combination of the principal components within a reasonable range of variations captured from the training samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing products having individual geometries, comprising a substrate carrier device, a material application device for applying material, preferably above the substrate carrier device, which material application device can be moved relative to the substrate carrier device, and a control device which is coupled to the material application device for signaling. According to the invention, the material application device is coupled to an input interface for signaling and for selection of a first or a second application mode, the control device and the application device being designed such as to produce, in the first application mode, a three-dimensional product on the surface of a substrate plate by way of an additive production method, said substrate plate being connected to the substrate carrier device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a material for a denture base containing a polymer component having a weight average molecular weight of 1,200,000 or more and containing an acrylic resin.

Abstract: A bristled dental floss is provided for effectively removing plaque, tartar, food particles and the like from between a user's teeth. The bristled dental floss includes an elongated, flexible floss core. A plurality of floss bristles extends from the floss core. At least one elongated bristle group is formed by the plurality of floss bristles. An undulating pattern is formed by the plurality of floss bristles in each bristle group. In typical use, the bristled dental floss may be inserted between the teeth of a user and moved in a back-and-forth motion. The bristle groups effectively remove plaque, tartar, food particles and the like from between the user's teeth, particularly in hard-to-reach recessed areas between the teeth.

Abstract: A root canal irrigation needle assembly used in the field of dental surgery and intended to be connected to an injection syringe includes a pipette and a connection sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing dental care using pressurized fluid. The pressure is obtained from the effervescence effect of the reaction of two active materials in the presence of the fluid. The pressurized fluid is provided to the mouth in a constant pressure and the apparatus is handy and may be operated in any angle with respect to the direction of earth gravity force. In some operational modes the pressurized fluid is provided in pulsating manner or in vibrating manner or in both manners.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system including a feed source of uncured filled resin material, a print head configured to apply discrete layers of a composition including upconversion phosphors, and a radiation source configured to irradiate layers of uncured filled resin material and deposited layers of the composition is provided. A method of three dimensionally printing a dental article is also provided.

Abstract: A root canal treatment apparatus includes a root canal treatment hand piece having a visible light camera which captures a visible light image of a tooth as a target of interest, and circuitry which detects a position of the root canal treating hand piece, and instructs display of three images corresponding to at least a tip position of a cutting tool attached to the root canal treating hand piece, an X-ray cross-sectional image of the tooth captured by X-ray CT image capturing beforehand, and the visible light image captured by the visible light camera such that the three images are displayed on a display in an overlapping manner in positional correspondence with one another, based on information on the position of the root canal treating hand piece detected by the circuitry.

Abstract: A slidable locking device for fixing a position of a medical device, includes a housing having a passageway therethrough and an actuator coupled to the housing movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator includes at least two arms extending therefrom that are operatively coupled with at least two engaging members disposed within the housing, each engaging member having a slot configured to receive a respective arm of the actuator, the engaging members being biased towards the housing passageway, wherein the engaging members are disposed toward the housing passageway when the actuator is in the locked position, and the engaging members are disposed away from the housing passageway when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a vaginal device 1 of an elastic material, said vaginal device 1 comprising a longitudinal portion 2 having a geometrical centre line 3, an upper end 4 and a lower end5 and which vaginal device 1 is intended to be inserted securely fixated inside of a vagina, the upper end 4 being the innermost of the vaginal device 1 in the vagina during use, to support against the urethra, through the vaginal wall, to prevent urinary stress incontinence in a woman, wherein the vaginal device 1 comprises at least one supporting portion 6 protruding from the longitudinal portion 2 and a reference member 7 protruding from the longitudinal portion 2 at the lower end 5, which reference member 7 during use is fixated against the vaginal introitus, holding the vaginal device 1 securely fixated inside of the vagina and ensuring said at least one supporting portion 6 to support against the urethra.

Abstract: A method for treating rectal prolapse, the method comprising: inserting a rectum-gripping and advancement apparatus into a prolapsed rectum via the anus; maneuvering the rectum-gripping and advancement apparatus so that the rectum-gripping and advancement apparatus securely engages the rectum; advancing the rectum-gripping and advancement apparatus distally so as to return the prolapsed rectum to its normal, non-prolapsed state; and securing the rectum to supporting tissue whereby to retain the rectum in its normal, non-prolapsed state.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.

Abstract: A vessel filter having a first region and a second region, the filter movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. The first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and includes a plurality of spaced apart filter struts. The struts each have a strut height defined as a distance between a first wall and a second wall. A plurality of hooks are at the second region, the hooks having a vessel penetrating tip and a width greater than the width of the strut from which it extends such that the penetrating tip portion of the hook extends beyond the first wall.

Abstract: A collapsible and deployable filter for blocking debris and passing blood in a blood vessel in a patient's body, the filter including; a framework of a flexible material, constructed to have a radially compressed state, in which the framework is radially compressed by radial deforming forces, and a radially expanded state to obdurate an artery; and a flexible filter material secured to said framework and having pores dimensioned to prevent the passage of debris therethrough while allowing the passage of blood. The filter has, in the radially expanded state of the framework, a generally conical or frustoconical form with a large diameter end, a small diameter end opposite to the large diameter end, and a side surface extending between the ends. The filter has an opening that is free of filter material at the small diameter end or in the side surface.